'Maleque Party' established to dominate Manikganj, claims Awami godfather

When Zahid Maleque was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 2008, he began to form a group, and his influence grew after becoming the State Minister for Health in 2014. As he solidified his control over Manikganj, a faction made up of his relatives and supporters came to be known as the 'Maleque Party' among grassroots leaders and activists.

Maleque, the former Health Minister under the ousted Awami League government, is accused of controlling sand deposits (balu mohal) and the public transport sector, engaging in corruption, irregularities, land grabbing, and purchasing land at below-market prices. He amassed wealth through the influence of the 'Maleque Party,' and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze his and his family's bank accounts. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also sought information regarding the wealth of Zahid Maleque and his family.

Despite discontent over his actions within the Awami League, his activities did not come to the forefront until recently. Some believe Maleque's failure to secure a ministerial position in the 2024 election, despite winning from Manikganj-3, was due to his involvement in government project irregularities and party disputes. Maleque supported his cousin, Md Israfil Hossain, in the 2023 Sadar Upazila Parishad election, but Israfil lost to Sudeb Shaha, the district Awami League organizing secretary.

Maleque's cousin, Israfil, had limited political experience before becoming religious affairs secretary of the district Awami League in 2023 and president of Sadar Upazila Awami League in 2015 and again in 2022. Other relatives, such as Afsar Uddin Sarker, became influential leaders within the local Awami League.

Zahid Maleque is accused of recruiting his family and followers into top positions within the party, consolidating power in the 'Maleque Party.' His son, Rahat Maleque, was appointed Industry and Commerce Affairs Secretary in the 2023 Awami League district committee, while his cousin Shamim Hossain was appointed president of the Jagir Union Awami League.

In addition to his political maneuvering, Maleque allegedly controls the sand extraction business in Manikganj. Through his associates, Maleque secured leases for sand deposits, with his cousin Shamim Hossain obtaining the Chamta-Bilborial balu mohal for Tk 21.4 million. Local residents reported extensive damage to agricultural lands due to illegal sand extraction, with little action taken to stop it.

Maleque is also accused of extortion in the public transport sector, where millions of takas were collected annually from bus owners and workers. His close associate, Zahidul Islam, allegedly oversaw these extortion activities.

Additionally, Maleque and his family were involved in attempts to embezzle funds related to a government pharmaceutical factory project in Manikganj. They allegedly inflated land prices for the proposed factory site, leading to a loss for the government. His family members, including his daughter Cynthia Maleque, also engaged in land transactions with inflated prices.

Zahid Maleque's wealth has grown exponentially over the past 15 years. His income rose from Tk 7.1 million in 2008 to Tk 82.9 million in 2024, and his movable assets increased from Tk 67.8 million in 2008 to Tk 703.3 million in 2024. Despite his wealth, locals suspect his actual wealth may be higher than what he has reported.

The accusations against Maleque continue to spark calls for government action, with local civil society groups urging investigations into the allegations of corruption and irregularities.